Monastic Vow
Sister Adria and The Third Order of the Franciscans
Adria is a member of the Third Order of the Franciscans, which was founded by the Saint himself to provide a Rule for those who were either laity interested in following him or could not, for various reasons, devote themselves to the fully contemplative life as a mendicant friar (the First Order) or join Clare (the second order). This was very important in helping the spread and support of the early Franciscans. Since the life of Saint Francis, it has included both those who have taken vows and laypersons of both genders. it is often called the Penitent Order for it's focus on repentance and forgiveness in leading a new way of life.
The following is the Rule as outlined by the modern Order of Ecumenical Franciscans, which is built on the eldest known surviving Rule, the "Venice Version," a codex that dates back to the 13th century. The Rule for the Third Order is in the Second Half of the codex, and is very close to the Memorial Resolutions of 1221. It is likely Adria follows a very similar Rule.
First Rule of the Third Order
Here begins the Rule of the Continent Brothers and Sisters.
In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. The memorial of what is proposed for the Brothers and Sisters of Penance living in their own homes, begun in the year of our Lord 1221, is as follows:
Chapter One: Daily Life
1. The men belonging to this brotherhood shall dress in humble, undyed cloth, the price of which is not to exceed six Ravenna soldi an ell, unless for evident and necessary cause a temporary dispensation be given. And breadth and thinness of the cloth are to be considered in said price.
2. They shall wear their outer garments and furred coats without open throat, sewed shut or uncut but certainly laced up, not open as secular people wear them; and they shall wear their sleeves closed
3. The sisters in turn shall wear an outer garment and tunic made of cloth of the same price and humble quality; or at least they are to have with the outer garment a white or black underwrap, or petticoat, or an ample linen gown without gathers, the price of an ell of which is not to exceed twelve Pisa denars. As to this price, however, and the fur cloaks they wear, a dispensation may be given according to the estate of the woman and the custom of the place. They are not to wear silken or dyed veils and ribbons.
4. And both the brothers and the sisters shall have their fur garments of lambs' wool only. They are permitted to have leather purses and belts sewn in simple fashion without silken thread, and no other kind. Also other vain adornments they shall lay aside at the bidding of the Visitor.
5. They are not to go to unseemly parties or to shows or dances. They shall not donate to actors, and shall forbid their household to donate.
Chapter Two: Abstinence
6. All are to abstain from meat save on Sunday, Tuesdays and Thursdays, except on account of illness or weakness, for three days at blood-letting, in traveling, or on account of a specially high feast intervening, namely, the Nativity for three days, New Year's, Epiphany, the Pasch of the Resurrection for three days, the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul, St. John the Baptist, the Assumption of the glorious Virgin Mary, the solemnity of All Saints and of St. Martin. On the other days, when there is no fasting, they may eat cheese and eggs. But when they are with religious in their convent homes, they have leave to eat what is served to them. And except for the feeble, the ailing and those traveling, let them be content with dinner and supper. Let the healthy be temperate in eating and drinking.
7. Before their dinner and supper let them say the Lord's prayer once, likewise after their meal, and let them gives thanks to God. Otherwise, let them say three Our Fathers.
Chapter 3: Fasting
8. From the Pasch of the Resurrection to the Feast of All Saints they are to fast on Wednesdays and Fridays, but still observing the other fasts enjoined in general by the Church.
9. They are to fast daily, except on account of infirmity or any other need, throughout the fast of St. Martin from after said day until Christmas, and throughout the greater fast from Carnival Sunday until Easter.
10. Sisters who are pregnant are free to refrain until their purification from the corporal observances except those regarding their dress and prayers.
11. Those engaged in fatiguing work shall be allowed to take food three times a day from the Pasch of the Resurrection until the Dedication feast of St. Michael. And when they work for others it will be allowed them to eat everything served to them, except on Fridays and on the fasts enjoined in general by the Church.
Chapter 4: Prayer
12. All are daily to say the seven canonical Hours, that is: Matins, Prime, Terce, Sext, None, Vespers, and Compline. The clerics are to say them after the manner of the clergy. Those who know the Psalter are to say the Deus in nomine tuo and the Beati Immaculati up to the egem pone for Prime, and the other Psalms of the Hours, with the Gloria Patri; but when they do not attend Church, they are to say for Matins the psalms, or any eighteen psalms, or at least to say the Our Father as do the unlettered at any Hours.
The others say twelve Our Fathers for Matins, and for every one of the other Hours seven Our Fathers with the Gloria Patri after each one. And those who know the Creed and the Misere mei Deus should say it at Prime and Compline. If they do not say that at the Hours indicated, they shall say three OurFathers.
13. The sick are not to say the Hours unless they wish.
14. All are to go to Matins in the fast of St. Martin and in the great fast, unless inconvenience for persons or affairs should threaten.
Chapter 5: The Sacraments, Other Matters
15. They are to make a confession of their sins three times a year and to receive Communion at Christmas, Easter and Pentecost. They are to be reconciled to their neighbors and to restore what belongs to others. They are to make up for past tithes and pay future tithes.
16. They are not to take up lethal weapons, or bear them about, against anybody.
17. All are to refrain from formal oaths unless where necessity compels, in the casesexcepted by the Sovereign Pontiff in his indult, that is, for peace, for the Faith, under calumny, and in bearing witness.
18. Also in their ordinary conversations they will do their best to avoid oaths. And should anyone have sworn thoughtlessly through a slip of the tongue, as happens where there is much talking, he should the evening of the same day, when he is obliged to think over what he has done, say three Our Fathers in amends of such oaths. Let each member fortify his household to serve God.
Chapter 6: Special Mass and Meeting each month
19. All the brothers and sisters of every city and place are to foregather every month at the time the ministers shall see fit, in a church which the ministers will make known, and there assist at Divine services.
20. And every member is to give the treasurer one denar. The treasurer is to collect thismoney and distribute it on the advice of the ministers among the poor brothers and sisters, especially the sick and those who may have nothing for their funeral services, and thereupon other poor; and they are to offer something of the money to the aforesaid church.
21. And, if it be convenient at the time, they are to have some religious who is informed in the words of God to exhort them and strengthen them to persevere in their penance and in performing the works of mercy. And, except for the officers, they are to remain quiet during the Mass and sermon, intent on the Office, on prayer, and on the sermon.
Chapter 7: Visiting the Sick, Burying the Dead
22. Whenever any brother orsister happens to fall ill, the ministers, if the patient letthem know of it, shall in person or through others visit thepatient once a week, and remind him of penance; and if they findit expedient, they are to supply him from the common fund withwhat he may need for the body.
23. And if the ailing persondepart from this life, it is to be published to the brothers andsisters who may be present in the city or place, so that they maygather for the funeral; and they are not to leave until the Masshas been celebrated and the body consigned to burial. Thereuponeach member within eight days of the demise shall say for thesoul of the deceased: a Mass, if he is a priest; fifty psalms ifhe understands the Psalter, or if not, then fifty Our Fatherswith the Requiem aeternum at the end of each.
24. In addition, every year,for the welfare of the brothers and sisters living and dead, eachpriest is to say three Masses, each member knowing the Psalter isto recite it, and the rest shall say one hundred Our Fathers andthe Requiem aeternum at the end of each.
25. All who have the rightare to make their last will and make disposition of their goodswithin three months after their profession, lest any one of themdie intestate.
26. As regards making peaceamong the brothers and sisters or non-members at odds, let whatthe ministers find proper be done; even, if it be expedient, uponconsultation with the Lord Bishop.
27. If contrary to theirright and privileges trouble is made for the brothers and sistersby the mayors and governors of the places where they live, theministers of the place shall do what they shall find expedient onthe advice of the Lord Bishop.
28. Let each member acceptand faithfully exercise the ministry of other offices imposed onhim, although anyone may retire from office after a year.
29. When anyone wishes toenter this brotherhood, the ministers shall carefully inquireinto his standing and occupation, and they shall explain to himthe obligations of the brotherhood, especially that of restoringwhat belongs to others. And if he is content with it, let him bevested according to the prescribed way, and he must makesatisfaction for his debts, paying money according to whatpledged provision is given. They are to reconcile themselves withtheir neighbors and to pay up their tithes.
30. After these particularsare complied with, when the year is up and he seems suitable tothem, let him on the advice of some discreet brothers be receivedon this condition: that he promise he will all the time of hislife observe everything here written, or to be written or abatedon the advice of the brothers, unless on occasion there be avalid dispensation by the ministers; and that he will, whencalled upon by the ministers, render satisfaction as the Visitorshall ordain if he have done anything contrary to this condition.And this promise is to be put in writing then and there by apublic notary. Even so, nobody is to be received otherwise,unless in consideration of the estate and rank of the person itshall seem advisable to the ministers.
31. No one is to depart fromthis brotherhood and from what is contained herein except toenter a religious Order.
32. No heretic or person inbad repute for heresy is to be received. If he is under suspicionof it, he may be admitted if otherwise fit, upon being clearedbefore the Bishop.
33. Married women are not to be received except with the consent and leave of their husbands.
34. Brothers and sisters ejected from the brotherhood as incorrigible are not to be received in it again except it please the saner portion of thebrothers.
Chapter 8: Correction, Dispensation, Officers
35. The ministers of any city or place shall report public faults of the brothers andsisters to the Visitor for punishment. And if anyone provesincorrigible, after consultation with some of the discreetbrothers, he should be denounced to the Visitor, to be expelledby him from the brotherhood, and thereupon it should be publishedin the meeting. Moreover, if it is a brother, he should bedenounced to the mayor or the governor.
36. If anyone learns that scandal is occurring relative to brothers and sisters, he shallreport it to the ministers and shall have opportunity to reportit to the Visitor. He need not be held to report in the case ofhusband against wife.
37. The Visitor has thepower to dispense all the brothers and sisters in any of thesepoints if he finds it advisable.
38. When the year haspassed, the ministers with the counsel of the brothers are toelect two other ministers; and a faithful treasurer, who is toprovide for the need of the brothers and sisters and other poor;and messengers who are at the command of the ministers are topublish what is said and done by the fraternity.
39. In all the abovementioned points no one is to be obligated under guilt, but underpenalty; yet so that if after being admonished twice by theministers he should fail to discharge the penalty imposed or tobe imposed on him by the Visitor, he shall be obligated underguilt as contumacious.
Here ends the Rule of the Continent
"Allpowerful, all holy, most high and supreme God, sovereign good,all good, every good, you who alone are good, it is right that wemust give all praise, all glory, all honor, all blessing; to youwe must refer all good always.Amen"
— The Praises before the Office St. Francis of Assisi